Possible plague outbreak in Russia: WHO unable to determine cause of lab worker’s death.
On Saturday, the World Health Organization stated that it still does not know the cause of the pneumonia that killed a lab worker this month at a Russian research center in Siberia dedicated to combating plague, and that no cases of plague have been reported.
According to Censor.NET, Reuters reports this, citing a statement from the WHO
What the WHO Said
The organization noted that the Russian state regulator reported that the test results for the deceased and those who had been in contact with her were negative for the high-risk pathogens tested for. Those who had been in contact with her are not currently showing any symptoms, and no other related cases of severe pneumonia have been identified.
"Based on the information provided… WHO has found no evidence of further transmission of the infection associated with this case. The main uncertainty remains the lack of a confirmed diagnosis for the deceased laboratory worker," the statement said.
What People Are Saying in Russia
Russian authorities stated that the lab worker had been properly vaccinated and that no microorganisms related to her work were found in her body.
On Thursday, Russia announced that it had completed medical examinations of all individuals who had come into contact with this employee. It also noted that complete information had been provided to the WHO in accordance with established procedures.
It is worth noting that global health officials are exercising heightened vigilance regarding cases of fatal pneumonia of unknown origin following the COVID-19 pandemic, which began with an outbreak of a rapidly spreading, deadly respiratory disease in China. The cause of individual cases of pneumonia often cannot be determined.
The Plague in Russia
- In Russia's Irkutsk Region, following the death of Daria Shipilova, a 28-year-old employee of the Anti-Plague Institute, a quarantine was imposed at a hospital in the city of Shelekhov, and approximately 200 people who may have come into contact with her were placed under medical observation.
- According to local media reports, the young woman broke a test tube containing the pathogen that causes pneumonic plague. Russian authorities have not officially confirmed the diagnosis of plague, citing "pneumonia of unknown etiology," and repeat tests of people who came into contact with her have not yet detected the pathogen.
- According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, plague is a potentially life-threatening bacterial disease, but it can be cured with timely antibiotic treatment.
- The White House had previously reported that it is monitoring the situation in Russia and evaluating possible responses.
- Americans in Russia are being advised to leave immediately due to suspected cases of pneumonic plague.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes that Russia should provide more information about the death of a female employee at a plague research laboratory who died last week.
- Donald Trump announced a conversation with Putin regarding the plague.
- The U.S. Embassy has advised against travel to Russia.
- The Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported that it is monitoring the situation and has submitted risk assessments to the WHO European Region.
